Ryan will be flyin' more ways than one at Abilene's Outlaws gig

"Blink You'll Miss It."

That's a Mike Ryan song, and the title of his third album. Not, he hopes, his music career.

So far, so good.

Ryan will be in Abilene on Saturday, not yet a legend but not backing off from being a bit of an outlaw. He's been here before but not on such a big stage.

He's one of 14 artists who'll play the ninth Outlaws & Legends Music Festival at the Back Porch of Texas.

What's for lunch?

He's second up Saturday. Lunch entertainment as the festival gets in gear.

Nothing wrong with that, he said. Any place on the bill in front of the crowd at an event with a great lineup is fine with him.

"This is a really cool thing. It's really great to have a chance to play on bill like that," he said.

Besides, he can make it back to San Antonio that night.

"I'm in a wedding," he said. Groomsman.

Cutting it close, maybe?

"I have a friend with a plane," he said, laughing. "I mapped it out and if I have to drive, I can. I'd have to haul a--."

Recent success in Texas

Ryan's creds include a recent top five Texas Music chart hit with "Damn Good Goodbye" from the "Blink" album. Pandora and The Boot have tabbed the San Antonio native as a artist to keep an eye on.

His album debuted at No. 6 on iTunes Top Country Album charts.

"Other Side of the Radio" is the new single, which has been a hit on Spotify. Before those two was "The Rewrite."

He's buds with Brad Paisley, who plays guitar on "The Rewrite." Ryan in turn helped co-write "Last Time for Everything" for Paisley.

Since 2013, Ryan has been part of Sea Gayle Music Publishing, co-owned by Paisley.

When Ryan was recording his first album, 2014's "Bad Reputation," there were some issues with gear in the studio. So, the project was shifted to Paisley's studio, where the established star got to hear some of Ryan's tunes and Ryan an early listen to "Moonshine in the Trunk," Paisley's 2014 release.

Ryan is touring for his album with the same name as the first song. It's an ode to small towns.

Country side of things

He said he is "most comfortable" with country music, but he's willing to put an edge to his music. 

"My songs tell stories, and that's easier with country. It's what I grew up with," he said. "There are some rock elements on the driving tunes, like 'The Rewrite.' It's a little grittier."

But he can tone it down, with only vocals and piano on "Sad Song." It precedes "The Rewrite," which kicks the album to a close.

Ryan is working on a new album.

"It'll be more of the same. That seems to be resonating. People seem to like what's happening, so we won't stray too far," he said.

The new album will be out later this year.

Ryan said he tries to keep his music real by telling real stories.

"As much as I can," he said, laughing. Some are changed a little "to make them more interesting. Maybe protect the innocent. I give as many details as I can get by with."

Sometimes the stories belong to his co-writers.

"Stories they want to tell. It's fun to walk into a session with nothing but an idea and leave with something good," he said.

So far, so good.